Flying ants are a type of ant within a colony. They serve the unique and specific purpose of leaving the colony to begin another. These mating ants are called “swarmers.”
Most of the ants you will encounter in NJ and PA are wingless. However, you may encounter a swarm of flying ants at different times of the year. Flying ants may also be mistaken for termites, which can lead to larger issues. Depending on their species, flying ants may swarm at different times of the year.
Flying ants cause panic among homeowners because of their tendency to burst in very large numbers with no warning. Their swarming behavior is alarming for homeowners, especially when they experience it for the first time. The top things to be concerned about when you are dealing with flying ants are:- Identification: Flying ants can be easily mistaken for termite swarmers. Termites are typically a much larger issue and need to be dealt with differently from both a homeowner and pest control professional point of view.
- The Source: Where are they coming from? Carpenter ants behave differently than tiny pavement or other nuisance ants. Finding the nest and addressing the root of the problem will provide relief.
What Are Flying Ants and Why Do They Fly?
It is important to note that a “flying ant” is not its own species. Flying ants are a type of ant that serves a single function: extending the life of their colony. Citronella ants, pavement ants, odorous house ants, and carpenter ants are the most likely to swarm in NJ and PA each year.
Flying ants have pinched waists with bent antennae and are often mistaken for swarming termites. They have two sets of wings, one larger than the other.
Swarmers have wings, unlike all other ants in colonies, so they can glide far away instead of crawling to a new nesting destination. They are in charge of finding a new nesting site and then being the first to reproduce and build up the new colony. If you see flying ants swarming, this means that the colony has been maturing and has not manifested recently.
Why Do I Have Flying Ants?
You likely have flying ants around your property because they found what they need: food, water, and shelter. In order to expand the number of colonies in a given area, they need to reproduce. To begin the breeding process, flying ants swarm in giant numbers all at once. They mate and the male dies. The goal is for the female to make it back outdoors after mating and to start a new colony. Flying ants aren't especially interested in humans, so they are more of an eyesore than anything else.
Are Flying Ants Dangerous?
Flying ants themselves are not dangerous. Their only goal is to mate, so they are not focused on trying to interact with humans. In fact, it benefits the flying ants to stay away from people as a means of survival. If you are seeing a swarm of tiny nuisance ants (ants you find trailing in your kitchen or bathroom) there is no imminent threat. They are not poisonous, do not bite, and do not cause any structural damage.
However, if you are seeing a carpenter ant swarm, it's likely that carpenter ants are somewhere in or around your property. Carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects and can inflict damage on your home. Most homeowners do not like flying ants because of the unsightly and unexpected, sometimes intense swarms they cause.
What Is the Difference Between Flying Ants and Termites?
Due to their size, color, and wings, flying ants and termite swarmers look very similar. However, the impact of a flying ant invasion versus a termite infestation is great. Termites cause significant damage to your home, whereas flying ants will not create structural damage. This differentiator makes it much more urgent to resolve. Naturally, it’s imperative to know how to spot the differences and act accordingly.
Flying ants vs. termites -- here are three key differences to help you tell them apart:
- The waist - Flying ants have a long, narrow, segmented waist. Termites have a thick waist.
- The wings - Both have wings, but there are some key differences. Flying ants have two sets of wings of unequal length - their front wings are longer than the back wings. Termites have wings that are disproportionately large compared to their bodies. These brittle wings easily break off when they land or while they're mating, and you will find piles of them in one location.
- The antennae - Termites have straight antennae; flying ants have bent antennae.
How Can I Get Rid of Flying Ants?
Flying ants are likely to enter your home through cracks and crevices around your home including open windows and around your basement. Your best defense against any type of ant is to seal up these areas and keep your kitchen counter and floors free of crumbs. Without an entry point or a food source, ants will find your home less appealing.
Controlling the flying ant population at your home can be challenging to do on your own. Once a swarm begins, flying ants will emerge in as many as hundreds of thousands. Fortunately, this typically only lasts for a few hours to a few days and then ceases. The goal of flying ants is to use their wings to leave the colony and reproduce.
You can vacuum up flying ants and dispose of them as they are visible. The best way to take care of flying ant infestations is to call a professional pest control company so they can address the ant nest on your property.
How Long Do Flying Ants Live?
When flying ants swarm, they emerge in the thousands.
Fortunately, swarms typically only last for a few hours to a few days. The goal of flying ants is to use their wings to leave the colony and reproduce. Once they have accomplished this, the males will die within a few more days. The females will look for a location to lay eggs to form a new ant colony.
How Can Cooper Pest Solutions Help with a Flying Ant Infestation?
Once a flying ant swarm begins, it doesn’t last long. Although Cooper Pest Solutions can provide effective ant control services, baiting systems used by Cooper Pest Solutions and in the pest control industry will not stop the swarm in time. They burst out of the colony like champagne out of a champagne bottle and stop once the fizzy drink runs out. Cooper Pest Solutions provides one-time as well as year-long ant control services that can prevent the swarm from taking place before it even happens.
Proactive flying ant services are your best defense against potential swarms. If you are looking to find a local, reputable company for winged ant service in NJ and PA, look no further than Cooper Pest Solutions. We also offer specialized termite control and carpenter ant control services.
Both our Home Intensive Plan and Home Traditional Plan provide year-round coverage with both proactive and reactive service for flying ant activity. We also offer a One-Time Ant Service.
One-Time Ant Service
A one-time treatment can be applied directly to active ant colonies in your home with our One Time Ant Service which provides coverage for 90 days with unlimited service calls. This program is reactive as opposed to our Home Services which are proactive. If you are worried about flying ants, it is more beneficial to invest in a Home Service to stop flying ants before they occur.
Home Intensive Plan
The Intensive Service Plan is designed to provide preventive pest and rodent control for your home, year-round. This plan includes both preventative and reactive services for flying ant activity. This is our most popular service for homeowners. The service plan includes four preventive services per year.
Each service is unique and will be accompanied by a detailed 30-point inspection report with detailed findings as well as providing you with important recommendations for your home. Every year you will receive three exterior maintenance services (March – November) and one interior service (December – February). The winter service will focus on the interior of the structure and is geared toward rodents and other pests that may live within the structure.
Home Traditional Plan
The Traditional Service Plan is a substantial value for the homeowner who does not want to be bothered by crawling insects, mice, and wasps. This plan includes both preventative and reactive services for flying ant activity. The Traditional Service Plan provides preventive pest and rodent control for your home, year-round.
As part of your plan, you will receive four services per year. Each year you will receive three exterior maintenance services (March – November) and one interior service (December – February). There are some exclusions in the Traditional Service Plan when compared to the Intensive Service Plan.
To learn more about our pest control plans and how we can get rid of flying ants around your home, reach out to us today!